Take That!

3rd September 2018

Take Cover ensured his place in Beverley folklore by winning back-to-back renewals of the £60,000 William Hill Beverley Bullet.

The mighty 11-year-old, trained in South Yorkshire by David Griffiths, bounced out of stall nine under David Allan and never saw another rival. Take Cover won the Beverley Bullet in similar circumstances 12 months ago and once again showed trademark pace and power to repel the persistent challenge of Mythmaker by a length and a quarter. Elnadim Star finished an honourable third, beaten another half a length.

Take Cover (3-1 joint-favourite) is owned and bred by Andrew Hollis, of Norcroft Park Stud, and expressed delight at the outcome. Hollis said: “He’s one in a million.

“The Nunthorpe at York last week (in which he finished sixth) didn’t take much out of him so that was incredible. He didn’t start running until he’s four, which is why he’s been able to keep going for so long. We call him Take Cover because when he was younger we all had to take cover from him because he was very quirky. I’m always nervous to watch him as he means so much to us. He’ll be so difficult to replace.”

Hollis confirmed that Take Cover is likely to have raced at Beverley for the final time as he is set to be retired at the end of the season. He said: “We’ll probably go to Newbury now for the race he won last year (Dubai International Airport World Trophy) and then we’ll probably retire him. I couldn’t bring him back at 12. He doesn’t deserve that as he’s done amazing for us.”

Take Cover is the second dual scorer of the William Hill Beverley Bullet, with Chookie Heaton having won the much-coveted Listed sprint in 2004-05.

Bawtry-based Griffiths said: “To keep going like he does, he’s absolutely unbelievable. I’m just so proud of him. To come back for a second time and do it is great. He’s taken us to another level. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse and has the heart of a lion.”

Allan added: “He’s just an absolute legend and has reflexes like a cat.”

Porth Swtan (9-1) later looked a horse set to take higher order after he won the £50,000 Beverley Silver Cup. Talented William Cox gave Charlie Hills’ five-year-old a peach of a ride to take the big prize by a head from Glasses Up. Cox, who was securing a 45th career victory, said: “That’s my biggest winner so far so I’m delighted. When I got to the line I knew he had won. He’s a very tough horse and battles well.”